BRIDGEPORT -- The city attorney's office confirmed Saturday that there will be a swift appeal to Friday's decision by state Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis to remove School Superintendent Paul Vallas because he is not qualified for the job.

Deputy City Attorney. Arthur C. Laske III said late Saturday afternoon that the city would file papers in court Monday to keep Vallas in charge and to appeal the decision. He declined further comment.

Vallas, the avuncular head of the 21,000-student, 38-school education system, came to the city after stints at the helm of some of the most troubled school districts in the world, including Philadelphia, Chicago, post-Katrina New Orleans, post-earthquake Haiti and also as a special adviser to dozens of Chile's lowest performing schools.

Yet on Friday, Bellis determined that Vallas had taken a "sham" course to become chief of the city's school system, and because of that, he must be removed.

As was the case during his 18-month tenure, Vallas continued to have his supporters and detractors after the 27-page decision was handed down late Friday afternoon.

"One thing that Judge Bellis didn't consider at all is the man's vast experience," said Councilman John Olson, D-132. "And the effect that her decision will have on the city, well, that wasn't on the table at all. This decision will be appealed to the Supreme Court."

"We want what's best for the students, parents and teachers, and I think the courts have made the right decision," he said. "We had very different visions of where we felt that the district should go."

Eric Alicea, district vice president-elect of the Parent Advisory Council, said he has mixed opinions on the decision, although he said he "applauded the fortitude" of retired Judge Carmen Lopez in bringing the action against the school system.

"He's made some good changes, and he's made some changes that ruffled some feathers, so the next person that comes in, well, that's going to be a tough act to follow," Alicea said.

He added the way the requirements are structured in the state, it's difficult for an out-of-state candidate, regardless of their qualifications, to get appointed as a superintendant here.

"I always wondered why Connecticut can't recruit top people," he said, "and it's because the way the law reads, you have to take a specific set of courses to become a superintendant here."

"We're pretty happy about it," she said. "He was in the position he was in because the political bosses in Bridgeport were trying to cut corners."

Working Families was not a party in the suit.

A state official, meanwhile, took a dim view of the action.

"We disagree with and are disappointed by the court's decision," said Kelly Donnelly, director of Communications and Community Partnerships for the state Department of Education. "Paul Vallas' superintendency -- affirmed by Bridgeport's democratically elected school board -- has brought to the city invaluable expertise acquired over Mr. Vallas' previous 15 years as superintendent of three major urban districts. We support Bridgeport's decision to pursue next steps in the legal process."